Shoulder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board dismissed the appeals for chronic sinusitis, chronic pharyngitis, fatty liver, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, kidney disease, right shoulder joint pain, left shoulder joint pain, right hip pain, and left hip pain. The appeal for arthralgias, multiple sites was remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The appeals for sleep apnea and urticaria were also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination for assessing the current severity of the Veteran's left shoulder disability, which includes total shoulder replacement. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating and clarification on the propriety of the rating reduction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities due to a lack of medical opinions linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to lose the use of both feet, qualifying him for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for additional medical opinions regarding their claims of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, an acquired psychiatric disorder, temporary total ratings due to hospital treatment in excess of 21 days, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the left knee disability and TDIU issues. The Board is dismissing these cases as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is presumed to have been incurred in service due to a continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, initial increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right shoulder osteoarthritis, as well as initial compensable ratings for residuals of a right fifth metacarpal fracture and lichenification.,No new evidence or arguments have been provided to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for endometriosis, migraine headaches, seizure disorder secondary to migraine headaches, right shoulder bicipital tendinitis, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome have been reopened.,Service connection has been granted for migraine headaches.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, finding that it manifests with recurrent dislocation of the scapulohumeral joint with frequent episodes and guarding of all arm movements. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for a right shoulder disability, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and MDD), and entitlement to TDIU due to the inadequacy of prior VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The remaining issues of service connection for right shoulder disability, low back disability, and bilateral foot disability are remanded due to lack of STRs.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, finding that the current condition is not causally related to service and does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left shoulder disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims for various disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder impingement with rotator cuff tear and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder arthritis is related to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left arm, left foot, and right foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence or conflicting medical opinions.